Method and apparatus for truck tarp loading

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus and method for covering truck beds, rail cars, or other large objects with a tarp or related covering in which the tarp is held to the truck tarp loader by a fastening roller member comprised of: a vertical support member with first and second ends; a first horizontal member fixedly secured to the first end, forming an L shape; a second horizontal member fixedly secured to the second end, also forming an L shape; an axle, a pair of wheels, and a handle pivotally attached to the first horizontal member; a pair of tensioners between the vertical support member and the axle; and a fastening mechanism on the second horizontal member for attaching the fastening roller member to the truck tarp loader apparatus. The tensioners, axle, pair of wheels, and handle form a cover grasping mechanism that holds the tarp or covering secure enough to support the weight of the tarp or covering, but allows an operator to slide the tarp or covering out from under the fastening roller member without having to disengage the cover grasping mechanism.

1. An apparatus for covering a large object comprising:
 a top frame;  
 a support for said top frame;  
 a lifting device attached to said top frame, said lifting device operatively engaging a plurality of arms, said plurality of arms substantially parallel to said top frame;  
 a plurality of hanging members attached to said plurality of arms;  
 a plurality of lifting connectors, each of said plurality of lifting connectors attached on a first end to said plurality of hanging members and operatively attached on a second end to said lifting device; and  
 one or more fastening roller members mounted to said plurality of arms.  
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus for covering a large object of  claim 1 , wherein said support for said top frame is selected from a group comprising: roof supports, an overhead crane, and a plurality of vertical supports. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus for covering a large object of  claim 1 , wherein said lifting device comprises:
 a shaft;  
 one or motors mounted to said top frame, operatively engaging said shaft; and  
 a plurality of spools mounted to said shaft, said plurality of spools each having a lifting connector attachment member operatively engaging one of said plurality of lifting connectors.  
 
   
   
     4. The apparatus for covering a large object of  claim 1 , wherein said lifting device is selected from a group comprising on or more chain falls, an overhead crane, a rope and pulley system, and one or more winches. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus for covering a large object of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of lifting connectors is selected from a group comprising straps, ropes, chains, cables, and link belts. 
   
   
     6. The apparatus for covering a large object of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more fastening roller members are comprised of:
 a vertical support member, having a first end and a second end;  
 a first horizontal member fixedly secured to said first end of said vertical support member, forming an L shape with said vertical support member and having portions forming a slot;  
 a second horizontal member fixedly secured to said second end of said vertical support member, forming an L shape with said vertical support member;  
 a fastening mechanism for attaching said one or more fastening roller members to said plurality of arms; and  
 a cover grasping mechanism.  
 
   
   
     7. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 6 , wherein said fastening mechanism is a U-bolt with a first end and a second end, said U-bolt engaging an arm of said plurality of arms and said first end and said second end of said U-bolt secured to said second horizontal member. 
   
   
     8. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 6 , wherein said cover grasping mechanism is comprised of:
 a handle with a tip, said handle having a rectilinear wall extending perpendicularly from said handle and pivotally engaged to said first horizontal member by a pivot bolt inside said slot, lowering a pair of wheels whenever said handle is in a dosed position, and raising said pair of wheels whenever said handle is in an open position, said pair of wheels rolls to allow a cover upon said large object to be released and is operatively attached to an axle, said axle penetrating said rectilinear wall; and  
 a pair of tensioners, each having a first end and a second end, said pair of tensioners secured to said vertical support member at said first ends and to said axle at said second ends.  
 
   
   
     9. The apparatus for covering a large object of  claim 8 , wherein said pair of tensioners is selected from a group comprising springs, air cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, and electric solenoids. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus for covering a large object of  claim 8 , wherein said tip is curved. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus for covering a large object of  claim 8 , wherein said cover is made of a material selected from a group comprising plastic and canvas. 
   
   
     12. The apparatus for covering a large object of  claim 1 , wherein said large object is selected from a group comprising a loaded bed of a truck and a rail car. 
   
   
     13. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is further comprised of a safety device, said safety device being a laser detection system for detecting one or more obstructions and halting said apparatus. 
   
   
     14. An apparatus for covering a large object comprising:
 a top frame with a length and a width;  
 a plurality of vertical support members attached to said top frame;  
 a plurality of arms parallel to said top frame, said plurality of arms substantially extending the length of said top frame between a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member of said plurality of vertical support members;  
 a lifting device operatively engaging said plurality of arms to move said plurality of arms in a vertical fashion while keeping said plurality of arms substantially horizontal;  
 a plurality of hanging members attached to said plurality of arms;  
 a plurality of lifting connectors, each of said plurality of lifting connectors attached on a first end to one of said plurality of hanging members and operatively attached on a second end to said lifting device; and  
 one or more fastening roller members mounted to said plurality of arms.  
 
   
   
     15. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 14 , wherein said lifting device comprises:
 a shaft;  
 one or motors mounted to said top frame, operatively engaging said shaft; and  
 a plurality of spools mounted to said shaft, said plurality of spools each having a lifting connector attachment member operatively engaging one of said plurality of lifting connectors.  
 
   
   
     16. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 14 , wherein said lifting device is selected from a group comprising one or more chain falls, an overhead crane, a rope and pulley system, and one or more winches. 
   
   
     17. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of lifting connectors is selected from a group comprising straps, ropes, chains, cables, and link belts. 
   
   
     18. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 14 , wherein said one or more fastening roller members are comprised of:
 a vertical support member, having a first end and a second end;  
 a first horizontal member fixedly secured to said first end of said vertical support member, forming an L shape with said vertical support member and having portions forming a slot;  
 a second horizontal member fixedly secured to said second end of said vertical support member, forming an L shape with said vertical support member;  
 a fastening mechanism for attaching said one or more fastening roller members to said plurality of arms, said fastening mechanism being a U-bolt with a first end and a second end, said U-bolt engaging an arm of said plurality of arms and said first end and said second end of said U-bolt secured to said second horizontal member; and  
 a cover grasping mechanism.  
 
   
   
     19. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 18 , wherein said cover grasping mechanism is comprised of:
 a handle with a curved tip, said handle having a rectilinear wall extending perpendicularly from said handle and pivotally engaged by a pivot bolt to said first horizontal member inside said slot, forming a first substantially horizontal line whenever said handle is in a dosed position, lowering a pair of wheels, and forming a second substantially horizontal line whenever said handle is in an open position, raising said pair of wheels, said pair of wheels operatively attached to an axle, said axle passing through said rectilinear wall, wherein said pair of wheels rolls to allow a cover upon said large object to be released; and  
 a pair of tensioners each having a first end and a second end, said pair of tensioners secured to said vertical support member at said first end and to said axle at said second end.  
 
   
   
     20. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 19 , wherein said pair of tensioners is selected from a group comprising springs, air cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, and electric solenoids. 
   
   
     21. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 19 , wherein said cover is made of a material selected from a group comprising canvas and plastic. 
   
   
     22. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 14 , wherein said large object is selected from a group comprising a loaded bed of a truck and a rail car. 
   
   
     23. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 14 , wherein said apparatus comprises a safety device, said safety device being a laser detection system for detecting one or more obstructions and halting said apparatus. 
   
   
     24. An apparatus for covering a large object comprising:
 a fundamental unit comprising a plurality of vertical support members attached to a top frame;  
 a first arm and a second arm, said first arm and said second arm substantially extending between said plurality of vertical support members;  
 a lifting device operatively engaging said first arm and said second arm to simultaneously move said first arm and said second arm in a vertical fashion while keeping said first arm and said second arm substantially horizontal;  
 one or more fastening roller members mounted to said first arm and said second arm; and  
 a plurality of straps secured to said first arm at a plurality of fixed attachment members and attached to said second arm at a plurality of quick-release attachment members.  
 
   
   
     25. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 24 , wherein said lifting device comprises:
 a shaft;  
 one or motors mounted to said top frame, operatively engaging said shaft;  
 a plurality of spools mounted to said shaft, said plurality of spools each having a lifting connector attachment member for operatively engaging a plurality of lifting connectors, wherein each of said plurality of lifting connectors is attached on a first end to one of said lifting connector attachment members of said plurality of spools and connected on a second end to said first arm or said second arm.  
 
   
   
     26. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 24 , wherein said lifting device is selected from a group comprising one or more chain falls, an overhead crane, a rope and pulley system, and one or more winches. 
   
   
     27. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 24 , wherein said one or more fastening roller members are comprised of:
 a vertical support member, having a first end and a second end;  
 a first horizontal member fixedly secured to said first end of said vertical support member, forming an L shape with said vertical support member and having a portion forming a slot;  
 a second horizontal member fixedly secured to said second end of said vertical support member, forming an L shape with said vertical support member;  
 a fastening mechanism for attaching said one or more fastening roller members to said plurality of arms, wherein said fastening mechanism is a U-bolt with a first end and a second end, said U-bolt engaging one of said first arm or said second arm, and said first end and said second end of said U-bolt secured to said second horizontal member; and  
 a cover grasping mechanism.  
 
   
   
     28. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 27 , wherein said cover grasping mechanism is comprised of:
 a handle with a curved tip, said handle having a rectilinear wall extending perpendicularly from said handle and pivotally engaged by a pivot bolt to said first horizontal member inside said slot lowering a pair of wheels whenever said handle is in a closed position and raising said pair of wheels whenever said handle is in an open position, said pair of wheels operatively attached to an axle, said axle passing through said rectilinear wall, wherein said pair of wheels rolls to allow a cover upon said large object to be released; and  
 a pair of tension rs each having a first and end a second end, said pair of tensioners secured to said vertical support member at said first end and to said axle at said second end.  
 
   
   
     29. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 28 , wherein said pair of tensioners are selected from a group comprising springs, air cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, and electric solenoids. 
   
   
     30. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 28 , wherein said cover upon said large object is made of a material selected from a group comprising plastic and canvas. 
   
   
     31. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 24 , wherein said large object is selected from a group comprising a loaded bed of a truck and a rail car. 
   
   
     32. The apparatus for covering a large object according to  claim 24 , wherein said apparatus comprises a safety device, wherein said safety device is a laser detection system for detecting one or more obstructions and halting said apparatus. 
   
   
     33. A method for covering a large object comprising:
 securing a covering to one or more fastening roller members mounted to a plurality of movable arms;  
 lifting said plurality of movable arms and thereby lifting said covering;  
 placing said large object under said covering;  
 lowering said covering over said large object;  
 disengaging said covering from said one or more fastening roller members; and  
 securing said covering to said large object.  
 
   
   
     34. The method of  claim 33 , wherein said lifting is performed by a lifting device, said lifting device comprising:
 a shaft;  
 one or more motors mounted to a frame, operatively engaging said shaft;  
 said plurality of movable arms parallel to said frame and each having one or more hanging members; and  
 a plurality of spools operatively engaging said shaft, each of said plurality of spools having a lifting connector attachment member for operatively engaging a plurality of lifting connectors, wherein each of said plurality of lifting connectors is attached on a first end to one of said connector attachment members of said plurality of spools and attached on a second end to said one or more hanging members of said plurality of movable arms.  
 
   
   
     35. The method of  claim 34 , wherein each of said plurality of lifting connectors is selected from the group comprising straps, ropes, chains, cable, and link belt. 
   
   
     36. The method of  claim 33 , wherein said lifting is performed by a lifting device selected from a group comprising one or more chain falls, an overhead crane, a rope and pulley system, and one or more winches. 
   
   
     37. The method of  claim 33 , wherein said one or more fastening roller members are comprised of:
 a vertical support member, having a first end and a second end;  
 a first horizontal member fixedly secured to said first end of said vertical support member, forming a first L shape with said vertical support member and having portions forming a slot;  
 a second horizontal member fixedly secured to said second end of said vertical support member, forming a second L shape with said vertical support member;  
 a fastening mechanism for attaching said one or more fastening roller members to said plurality of arms; and  
 a cover grasping mechanism.  
 
   
   
     38. The method of  claim 37 , wherein said fastening mechanism is a U-bolt with a first end and a second end, said U-bolt engaging an arm of said plurality of movable arms, and said first end and said second end of said U-bolt secured to said second horizontal members. 
   
   
     39. The method of  claim 37 , wherein said cover grasping mechanism is comprised of:
 a handle with a tip, said handle having a rectilinear wall extending perpendicularly from said handle and pivotally engaged by a pivot bolt to said first horizontal member inside said slot, lowering a pair of wheels whenever said handle is in a dosed position, and raising said pair of wheels whenever said handle is in an open position said pair of wheels operatively connected to an axle, said axle going through said rectillin ar wall, wherein said pair of wheels rolls to allow said covering upon said large object to be released; and  
 a pair of tensioners each having a first end and a second end, said pair of tensioners secured to said vertical support member at said first end and to said axle at said second end.  
 
   
   
     40. The method of  claim 39 , wherein said pair of tensioners is selected from a group comprising springs, air cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, and electric solenoids. 
   
   
     41. The method of  claim 33 , wherein said large object is selected from a group comprising a loaded bed of a truck and a rail car. 
   
   
     42. The method of  claim 33 , wherein said covering is selected from a group comprising a tarp and a canvas. 
   
   
     43. The method of  claim 33 , wherein said method comprises engaging a safety device, wherein said safety device is a laser detection system for detecting one or more obstructions and halting said plurality of arms.